Disgusted Kiwi team moves out of 'refurbished' tennis complex

What is touted as the most advanced tennis facility in the country - the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex, refurbished at Rs 64 crore for the Commonwealth Games - has failed to satisfy even junior teams from abroad. Sharmistha Chaudhuri reports.

What is touted as the most advanced tennis facility in the country - the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex, refurbished at Rs 64 crore for the Commonwealth Games - has failed to satisfy even junior teams from abroad.

The 16-team Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania final qualifying tournament that concluded on Saturday saw the New Zealanders move out of the complex on the first day itself, while the Australians - wiser after the CWG experience, never checked in.

Only 11 of the 31 rooms in the DLTA's new block - built for the Games - are operational and rooms in the old block are badly in need of repair.

"The rooms were extremely cramped and dirty with bunk beds. We were very unhappy with the facilities so we moved out," Kiwi coach Ranjit Shinde told HT.

Malaysian coach Abrahim Abubakar said, "My boys found maggots in the rice. The condition of the rooms was deplorable and the food is not good enough."

"My kids fell sick after eating here. After that, we always went out to eat," said Japanese coach Ko Iwamoto.

He said, "We were unable to shift out of the complex because of budget constraints. The new block has good rooms, but most are not in use. To host a major international event, one needs to be prepared. This was not good preparation."